“What?”
“Nothing,” she said, shaking her head. “It’s really none of my business.”
“It’s okay,” I assured her. “You can ask me anything.”
“Did your father want a divorce, too?”
“No,” I replied. “He was in love with her until the day he died.”
Natalie shook her head, and I could see how deeply she empathized with a man she’d never met. “Sorry,” I said, after a moment. “I didn’t mean to get the mood down.”
“You didn’t,” she assured me. “I’m glad you feel like you can talk to me.”
“Do you feel like you can talk to me?” I asked.
“I do,” she nodded.
“Really?”
“Of course.”
“Then can you answer something for me?”
“Yes.”
“Why did you run away from me that night on your birthday?” I asked.
Natalie raised her eyebrows. “You led me right into a trap, didn’t you?”
I laughed. “Does that mean you’re not going to answer the question?”
Natalie looked down for a moment and seemed to be marshaling her courage somehow. “I told you I was a little too drunk.”
“You did,” I nodded. “But I have a feeling that’s only part of the truth.”
“Well…”
“But I would also understand if you told me that I just came on too strong,” I said. “I have been known to be a straight shooter.”
Natalie smiled. “No, it wasn’t that you came on too strong,” she said. “Well, maybe that’s not the whole reason.”
I waited patiently for her to answer.
“The thing is…”
“Yes?”
“You have to promise me something,” Natalie said, as she took a deep breath.
“Okay?”
“Promise me that you won’t judge me?”
I raised an eyebrow. “Now you’re making me curious.”
“Promise?”
“I promise,” I nodded solemnly.